General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Saab have completed the first flight of what the companies describe as the world’s first unmanned airborne early warning solution, combining the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft with Saab’s new LoyalEye radar sensor.
The test flight took place on 19 May at General Atomics’ Desert Horizon facility in Southern California. According to the companies, the LoyalEye sensor was fully integrated on the MQ-9B to provide an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability designed for long-endurance unmanned operations.
The joint system is intended to deliver early detection and warning, long-range detection and tracking, and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets. It is designed to operate beyond line of sight via satellite communications, supporting wide-area surveillance and persistent coverage.
The 19 May sortie marks the start of a test and evaluation campaign expected to run for several months, with a full capability demonstration planned later this year at the same location. Once available to MQ-9B operators and new customers, the LoyalEye-equipped platform is expected to offer a cost-effective unmanned alternative to traditional crewed AEW aircraft, leveraging the MQ-9B’s long range and endurance with Saab’s AEW sensor technology.